If you’re a comic book geek (and even if you aren’t), you should include these ten titles in your arsenal of books to read shortly. But be quiet because they’re not all superheroes. It is not a definitive list, not even an official list, but we have to recognize that all these comics are essential if we want to understand the art of graphic narrative better.
- Batman: The Return of the Dark Knight – Frank Miller
If you are addicted to superhero movies and want to start in the comic book world by the big door, we recommend this essential Frank Miller. The story you’ll get to know more or less, but the end of the graphic novel is impressive.
- Message to Adolf – Osamu Tezuka
It’s the so-called masterpiece of a manga icon. Osamu Tezuka is the father of Japanese cartoonists and writers. With Adolf, he signed one of his best works in his maturity. For 1300 pages you will enter the history of its protagonists that will make you travel for several decades starting from the Berlin Olympic Games.
- Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits – Alan Moore
It began as a mere sideline to a huge saga, but in the end, Constantine is one of the most renowned characters in the comic book world. His classic raincoat makes you recognize him where he’s probably surrounded by demons.
- Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn-Hergé
One of the most mythical adventures of the blond with his faithful friend Milu. It was released to the cinema by Spielberg in 2011, but the original version has much more to contribute. If you’re not fully convinced yet, we can only tell you that film history is completely disassociated from the comic book.
Preacher – Garth Ennis
A novel that seeks the end of the human race. The love between an angel and a demon gives rise to the appearance of a creature that even fears God himself. If you like religious themes and horror stories, don’t hesitate to go through Ennis’s work.
- Hate – Peter Bagge
It has become one of America’s best-selling alternative comics. Under a humorous tone, he tells the story of a young representative of that Generation X with a somewhat peculiar character. The series officially ended in 1998, although it was later published in Hate Annual.
- The Sandman – Neil Gaiman
He is named Tim Burton of the comics, Neil Gaiman creates a real graphic tragedy in his series The Sandman. It mixes terror, fantasy, and classical mythology. A combination that will eventually hook you from the first block.
- Nausicaä – Hayao Miyazaki
In order to give life to Nausicaä, Miyazaki was forced to create this wonderful comic book fundamental to the followers of the animation genius. It is the only graphic novel that the Japanese master presented, therefore its importance in the history of the comic.
- Spider-man: Kraven’s Last Hunt – J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck
Another return to the superheroes made in the USA and an icon of the genre comics. In this hunt, Spider-Man’s life is as weak as that of a little spider. You’ll be surprised at all the suffering that comes out between cobwebs.
- Black Hole – Charles Burns
Burns is famous for his meticulous horror stories. He made twelve installments of this graphic novel between 1993 and 2004. Nothing in this work is what it looks like, and paranormal phenomena are on the agenda.”